I felt this way when I picked up a book out of a book box this week-the first case study of successful business models was Elon Musk. Yuck.Even if most get with the AI program because it is infused, the oligarchs are getting grabbier. Countering overlords might save democracy, sustainable futures.

A couple of things that resonate, first, intro classes with writing and learning communities are opportunities to support wellbeing even more. Second, I am not surprised to see jobs rank so high, we have about 20 sustainability & farm student workers-they all hang out. www.aacu.org/research/wha...

Visiting outdoor learning spots @carleton.edu to plan community discussions on targeted improvements at the farm and other potentials. Part of our committees hope is also to learn more about what this looks like in different classes. We have a good understanding of the Arb, but less in other spaces.

We’re up against so much, so in your face, but my goodness the world needs us to push for green jobs instead. hechingerreport.org/texas-high-s...

Two things can be true: • RCP8.5 was never a realistic "business as usual" scenario • The world has made real progress bending the emissions curve down Glen Peters, Piers Forster, and I explain in a new article: www.theclimatebrink.... 1/11

If you are in or near Northfield, today’s the day: Beaver Fest is from 1-3 on @carleton.edu campus near the islands of Lyman Lakes. Looking forward to seeing the @bellmuseum.bsky.social @mndnrewr.bsky.social @emilyfairfax.bsky.social, MN Trappers, Arb, and Sustainability Offices and you!!!!

The solutions to climate change already exist & need political will & mobility to thrive. This is true with or without AI. blog.ucs.org/samuel-dotso...

Geoexchange projects have high potential in our state. @carleton.edu renewables including geothermal have reduced emissions by 70%. Darcy systems expand possibilities. Thanks Yvette Higgins for a shout out to Carleton, Mac, & Minnesota’s renewable future. www.startribune.com/minnesota-co...

Beyond GDP other indicators like biodiversity, emissions, wealth inequality matter for defining sustainability and equity. Worth a read and indicators helpful at many scales. unctad.org/publication/...

A bunch of extremely beautiful pictures of wind farms in China - all photographs by Weimin Chu e360.yale.edu/digest/china...

8 days until the magic of Beaverfest

“Last year, more…[US] rivers were reconnected thanks to dam removals than at any other time in history… resulting free-flowing waterways are healthier, cooler and less prone to algal blooms, & serve as vital habitat for migratory fish & other aquatic life. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/c...

Well said! A free flowing river is more climate resilient, less risky to life, better for ecosystems, and supports recreation. I definitely am amongst those keen to kayak & see an improved river corridor. www.southernminn.com/northfield_n...

End of the Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby. Climate Change. “The race requires two weather conditions that have become increasingly unreliable: solid lake ice and adequate snow cover…achieving both has been, at best, a fifty‑fifty chance.” www.klondikedogderby.com/2026-officia...

It makes me happy to see decarbonization happening, whether on our campus or in our state. The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority is doing great work at the nexus of sustainability and equity. Making energy costs lower makes life better for folks. mncifa.mn.gov/projects

Spending some time with the literature & local climate solutions experts to inform education. What are your go to studies on the skills & habits of making climate action & climate justice happen?

“In Minnesota, wind and solar accounted for 98 percent of all new electric generation capacity added in the past five years. The state added 264 megawatts of new solar capacity in 2025, nearly ten times the amount of natural gas added to the state’s energy mix.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

According to the Minnesota DNR, it’s the first time in more than a century there’s been documentation of a reproducing cougar population in the state.

Students leading a renewable energy tour @carleton.edu with Energy Manager Rob! A great way to celebrate Carleton’s accomplishments decarbonizing during Climate Action Week! Students putting on fantastic programs for other students & the community!

I think it’s good politics to speak loudly and clearly about the climate crisis. Time to end the climate hushing billmckibben.substack.com/p/lets-talk-...

Joyful Carleton! Happy Earth Day, zipping between a few events this week, but they really happen all the time.

@carleton.edu faculty-student flash talks: ENTS comps on city heat solutions. Geology-arts solutions for leftover glaze and new flux materials tested using X-ray diffraction to identify more local material, Indigenous sustainability and sovereignty projects, & sustainable development in Paris.

Excited to attend the ribbon-cutting for the next segment of California’s solar canal initiative later this month in Hickman. Imagine generating solar power over 4,000 miles or so canals across the state. A lot of Sierra and Colorado River water to save via avoided evaporation.

Agree! Just spoke with our Rotary which seems to be a home for many people & orgs coming together to support action. Our rotary has an active climate action team that supported use of the IRA, weatherization, supporting a cohort of international hs students into projects, & support for immigrants.

1/ There's a system of ocean currents in the Atlantic that shapes Europe's #climate, drives monsoons, and keeps sea levels stable along the US coast. In the last 5 years, the scientific evidence that it could collapse has shifted dramatically. Most people have no idea. 🧵

Including politics in climate scenarios makes sense & is also a toughie… having a good think. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

State of Minnesota funded experimental plots testing mulching strategies for vegetable growers @carleton.edu What a beautiful day for a walk by & connecting campus to community is something to celebrate!

World Economic Forum Risks Outlook mirrors all things on radar now. Also not surprised that short term top risks related to the environment moved down because conflict & misinformation threats to communication & democracy are urgent & environment is always a long term challenge…

BREAKING GOOD NEWS: There is a house at @carleton.edu where you can bake cookies at basically any time. I spent 12 straight hours in the kitchen and came back for breakfast the next morning: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/d...

The work of making change is communal, appreciate the focus on building community as part of supporting action. “Rather than focusing on empowering individuals in isolation, we should work to build trust, relationships, and youth voice within communities” www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

I’m reflecting on strong anti-AI and pro-sustainability attitudes versus thinking across the spectrum and system of choice making. What I think it means is that it is worth learning examples and opportunities of choices, to feel confident as you navigate in the world & to “choose more good”

Students know we must integrate sustainability into the curriculum & core work. It is out of balance to move forward AI without a commitment to the world we’re seeking to advance. AI is also happening so rapidly at the nexus of sustainability challenges and solutions. www.mlive.com/news/grand-r...

I sat on that very porch and interviewed the owner for this column share.inquirer.com/KmHX4i

Loved seeing beaverfest signs around town. Thanks @emilyfairfax.bsky.social! This event has special student driven momentum. sites.google.com/carleton.edu...

How should we engage students in learning how to engage structural barriers to climate action. Examples: unmet climate adaptation needs to address flooding, including removing a dam & advancing green electricity on a grid unable to accept more renewables?

"Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are." One of my favourite quotes, attributed to St Augustine and embodied by @drkatemarine.bsky.social today.

A loosening of regulations to make fossils more available immediately, & longer term work to keep building renewables to protect countries from volatility & war & event driven fossil increases. EVS are a sign of consumer shifts to reduce costs. yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/04/what...

Today included a geeky opportunity to see how an architectural firm uses downscaled climate models. They build for 30 year climate futures and plan for 50 years. Thirty years is also an important number in climate, because it is the minimum span needed to identify a climate change trend.

#ArtemisII A photo from a passing airliner of the Artemis II launch yesterday. 📸unknown

I’m so proud of how Carleton sustainability students are engaging here by sampling above and below the dam to bring water and climate expertise into discussion. They presented alongside the city & Clean River Partners last Earth Day to build conversation. kymnradio.net/2026/03/19/n...

This overview of how our ice season is shrinking is a fantastic resource & the state has many community science monitoring projects including “ice out” where the public monitors dates the ice leaves. www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-sto...

Did you know that making the moral case against fossil fuel use has been identified as a societal tipping point? Glad to see @greenfaith.bsky.social doing it this week in the US!

Fantastic plastic pollution study that takes a look at how infrastructure reduces plastic pollution into the environment. While consumption may drive increased production, plastic is most likely to escape into the environment with poor waste management. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

On the list: DEI, Equity, environmental Justice, Climate Change, Diversity, Greenhouse Gas, Clean Energy, Solar Energy… grist.org/language/cli...

A win! Driven by students who want to know how to act in meaningful ways. www.adirondackexplorer.org/environment/...

Nice article by @jessimckenzi.bsky.social about this really weird paper on ocean heat content. This may be the new wave in climate denial since AI allows people to write science-y sounding papers that are completely bonkers pretty easily. thebulletin.org/2026/03/a-cl...

Angel Glacier in Jasper NP, Alberta.

Happy world glacier day! Here are a few from Alaska & Antarctica. Glaciers store most of the world’s freshwater and are sentinels of climate change.

See what I mean... it's MID MARCH! 🫠

After watching Chasing Time I found pictures from 1997 on Solheimjokul. The film evokes that all of the ice in my pictures is gone, except maybe the very top of the last one. The first picture is David Mickelson, UW Madison geology professor and his son John.